UFC 152 Does an Estimated 450k Pay Per-View Buys

Dave Meltzer, of the Wrestling Observer, has reported the estimated number of pay per-view buys for UFC 152: “Jones vs Belfort”. While the numbers aren’t disappointing, they are far from impressive, with the event drawing 450k in buys. Meanwhile, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, who is considered one of the company’s top-five draws, was able to garner 750k for his April tilt with Rashad Evans. Despite the drawing power Jones has shown in the past, it would seem that perhaps a month-long promotional timeframe coupled with the fallout of UFC 151’s cancellation may have done some damage in regards to sales this time out.

Preliminary numbers from UFC 152 are 450,000 to 460,000 buys. Keep in mind these are still early numbers and can vary greatly. It’s at the low end of expectations. I think the key here is that the six weeks between shows really didn’t make a difference. It’s considerably down from Jon Jones’ last fight. Obviously Vitor Belfort wasn’t going to draw as his opponent like Rashad Evans because you had no grudge match and betrayal storyline, but this looks to be less than Lyoto Machida. I really don’t think all the publicity was going to keep people from buying, but one thing is pretty much for sure. All that publicity didn’t either make him a bigger marquee star, nor did it create a situation where he sold more because people would buy to see him beat up. The only people buying to see him beat up were the same people buying to start with.